Reminder - MLG Dallas is this week-end! No WoW this time, but the Starcraft 2 tournaments and the other games are always nice!

Cataclysm - Heroic Raid Loot List
Recent datamining yielded interesting results, and we now have a pretty much complete list of heroic raid loot! This is the list of the most powerful items you will get in the first tier of raid in Cataclysm, including the loot table of the Heroic only Lady Sinestra in the Bastion of Twilight.

The new version of MMO-Champion is live!
It's been a long time since the last major change on the site, the current theme is now 3 years old and it's time to replace it with something a little nicer and a lot more useful! The new website has a couple of interesting additions that should make your life easier.

A feed of the latest Blue Posts is finally available on the front page!

The left menu is gone, news posts can now use the full width of the page. It will allow me to post more information when I have to use tables, lot of pictures, etc ...

Patch menus have been moved to the top right of the site.

The forums are much, much, much, much better. You can now go through a couple of posts

Overall, the site is much nicer and is a lot more polished than the previous theme.

Now that the Blue Tracker is integrated to the website, we also updated it to match the new theme and added a couple of features.

Support of Battle.net forums in the future, we shouldn't have any downtime when the new WoW site is launched.

The design for combat resurrection effects has changed a good deal for Cataclysm, and we want to make sure players are clear on how spells like Rebirth and Create Soulstone now function. Rebirth has a 10-minute cooldown and Create Soulstone has a 15-minute cooldown. On raid boss encounters, you can only use one of these combat resurrection spells (so one Rebirth or one Soulstone) per attempt for 10-player raids. For 25-player raids you can use three forms of combat resurrection per raid boss attempt (so three of any combination of Rebirth and Soulstone). The count is incremented as soon as a player accepts a resurrection, so one can always choose not to accept if he or she wants someone else to get the resurrection instead. There is no equivalent of the Sated debuff (which tracks Bloodlust/Heroism usage), but you will get an error message if you try to resurrect too many players, and we might add tracking to our raid interface if there is demand for it. Outside of raid content, you can use as many battle resurrections as you have available.

For those of you currently participating in the World of Warcraft: Cataclysm beta test, please note that this functionality may not be fully implemented as of yet. If you notice combat resurrections are not currently functioning as explained here, this is just a heads-up about the updated design intent behind them.

Unless Soulstone is being changed, why does the harder to use combat rez (that being Soulstone, since you have to predict ahead of time who to Soulstone) have the longer cooldown?
One thing we're considering with Soulstone is making it possible, in addition to its current functionality, to be cast on a dead player to give them the option of joining the living again.

New Community Site Live Preview
Looks like we won't be the only one with a new design this week. The new community site is live and is very similar to the one launched with Starcraft 2.

Originally Posted by Zarhym
(Blue Tracker)

Many exciting changes are coming to World of Warcraft with the upcoming Cataclysm expansion, both in-game and out. We're excited to offer you an early look at the new World of Warcraft community site, which will soon become the prime gathering spot and source of information for players on the web. You can read more about the transition from our existing website to the new one in our original announcement: http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/th...87366608&sid=1

As you’re exploring your future home, keep in mind that this is a live preview, and not all of the new features are ready quite yet. We want your feedback about the look and feel of the new site, so while you're browsing, we encourage you to submit bug reports and make feature requests -- let your voice be heard. Go ahead. Check it out!

Second Wind now regenerates 2/5% of your total health over 10 sec, down from 5/10%.

Fury

Blood Craze now regenerates 1/2/3% of your total health over 5 sec, down from 2.5/5/7.5%.

[Character Copy] Epic Pre-mades Available!

Originally Posted by Valnoth
(Blue Tracker)

Pre-made characters with level 359 epic gear are now available and ALL should have functional tradeskills. We've also reset everyone's available character copies back to 5.

HEROIC Bastion of Twilight now open

Originally Posted by Daelo
(Blue Tracker)

Bastion of Twilight is now open for testing, including Heroic difficulty!

HEROIC Blackwing Descent now open for testing
Reposting this one as a full front page news because it's a pretty huge change!

Originally Posted by Daelo
(Blue Tracker)

We're going to open Blackwing Descent for testing today, and Heroic difficulty will now be available. The zone will stay open for at least a day to allow different regions to test the content.

Throne of the Four Winds and Bastion of Twilight will be closed for now. They'll open up later.

Rated BG's are now available!

Originally Posted by Mumper
(Blue Tracker)

I am happy to announce that rated battlegrounds are now available in the beta. The bracket is set to 10v10 for this period of testing. We will rotate the brackets to get testing in all areas as we see fit. Please queue up and leave us any feedback that you find on the system.

We will be setting up a "play with the devs" focused test for Rated BG's sometime next week. Be on the lookout for a post with more info soon.

Yeah, I have loads of questions about rated BGs. It sounds like it's "Guild BGs With Ratings", rather than Rated BGs; if I'm not misinformed, all members of a BG "team" have to be in the same guild, no?
Your guild membership has no impact on rated BG teams. You can form a raid to join up no matter what guild you are in. However, if you join a rated BG with the minimum number of required guild members, you will earn guild xp for a win. You will be notified in the top right of your screen via a guild banner that you are in a guild group.

It actually sounds like there is a lot of confusion going on with players about rated battlegrounds in general. I will get a basic FAQ together and get it posted ASAP.

Rated Battlegrounds FAQ

Originally Posted by Mumper
(Blue Tracker)

Judging from the posts on the forum, it looked like most players were confused about what rated battlegrounds really are and how to interact with them. Hopefully this FAQ can help clear up some of those questions. Feel free to respond with any other questions you might have and we will do our best to post up the answers in this thread.

Rated Battlegrounds are broken down into three brackets. 10v10, 15v15 and 25v25. These brackets rotate weekly and can be viewed in-game via the calendar by activating the battleground holiday filter.

Players must create a raid with the full number of players required for the current bracket before entering the queue. Any level 85 player of your faction may participate in the battle (regardless of guild association).

When players win a battle, they are rewarded conquest points, up to their weekly cap. Weekly caps are individual for each player and are based on your highest single pvp rating from the previous week (the cap resets on Tuesdays). This rating can be derived from your 2v2, 3v3, 5v5 arena, or your rated battleground rating.

Players start at zero rated battleground rating and progress upward from there. Rating is only reduced after a lost battle when the player is above their internal matchmaking rating. For the most part, a rating only goes up.

Epic ground mounts will be rewarded at the end of each season to the top 0.5% of players. Titles are also available as you gain rating in the system. The titles are rewarded directly from achievements earned from gaining the required rating.

Winning a rated battleground with a team composed of 80% guild members will result in the additional benefit of guild experience gain for your guild. The UI will display a guild banner near the minimap that lets you know if you are eligible for guild achievements and experience.

Region Wide Battlegroup Matching

Originally Posted by Bashiok
(Blue Tracker)

As we previously announced, we’re in the process of rolling out region-wide battleground matchmaking. Once completed, all realms for our North American players will be matching together for battlegrounds, and four larger groups for dungeon finder use. This is a large technical undertaking, and while we’re extremely excited to see this huge advancement in connecting players within World of Warcraft, the complexity means we’ll be rolling it out slowly in a staggered approach.

Battlegrounds
The below battlegroups are now linked for battleground matchmaking.

Whirlwind

Emberstorm

Dungeon Finder
The below battlegroups are now linked within their group for dungeon finder matchmaking.

Group A

Whirlwind

Emberstorm

Phase 2 – Implemented 11/3/10

Battlegrounds
Two additional battlegroups are added and all four are linked for battleground matchmaking.

Whirlwind

Emberstorm

Vengeance

Bloodlust

Dungeon Finder
The below realms are linked within their groups for dungeon finder matchmaking. In the final phase, all realms are expected to be grouped in this manner based on their physical locations.

Group A

Whirlwind

Emberstorm

Group B

Stormstrike

Nightfall

Retaliation

Final Phase – TBD based on performance of previous phases

We’ll be updating this thread as these phases progress.

Blue Posts

Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment

Leveling speed on beta
Just to follow-up on the question about the 80 to 85 leveling experience in the beta, we feel it's where it needs to be right now. We feel the current pacing is correct, based on what each zone supports via quests while allowing you to mix and match dungeon runs along the way. Keep in mind though that there are always those that are likely to power level their way to 85 fairly quickly.

Also keep in mind that the leveling experience now (1-60) will be changing. I guess we will see if the perception of whether it's too fast or not will change based on that. At the very least the flow of how you level should be improved. (Source)

Magmaw Testing (Blackwing Descent)
Magmaw was not available for testing previously simply due to some bugs that needed to be fixed. Magmaw will be available for testing sooner than you think. (Source)

New official forums
These new forums will be available "soonerino" and I'm glad you asked. While we obviously can't mind control everyone or force anyone to make certain sorts of posts, we CAN encourage you all to report those that violate the forum Code of Conduct AND we can also encourage you all to uprate or downrate posts you like or don't like. By doing so, you can bring to light the posts you see as better quality or help hide the ones you feel just don't cut it. Keep in mind though, it's just a tool to be used, and it's up to you all to use it. (Source)

ClassesAE Healing nerf
The beta still does not have all of our AE nerfs, so e.g. Holy Radiance and Efflorescence are still healing by too much. Once those numbers kick in, then we can lower AE damage accordingly. Priest and shaman AE healing are closer to our targets. (Source)

Hunter (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)Buffs effects on pets
We believe all of these buffs are affecting pet stats correctly (meaning that the pet does not get buffed directly but inherits the master's stats). Sometimes you may need to reequip a piece of gear or zone to get the tooltip to update correctly, if for example you have just spec'ed into Trueshot Aura. (Source)

Rogue (Forums / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)Backstab isn't nerfed, and tooltips are lying to you
Backstab is also 200% at level 80. If you are on beta, you may have a tooltip that says 150%, but it is lying to you. If you are on live, it has always been 200% and will stay that way for Cataclysm.

Below level 80, Backstab (and other attacks) will do less weapon damage, which is really all this change was trying to accomplish. (Source)

Revitalize is now a 2 Ranks talent, down from 3 Ranks. Now has a 20% chance to proc at all ranks, now regenerates 1/2% of your total mana (down from 3%) and cannot occur more than once every 12 sec (up from 6 sec).

Heart of the Wild now increases your Stamina in bear form by 2/4/6%, down from 3/7/10%.

Arcane Blast now increases damage by 10% (down from 20%) and mana cost by 150% (down from 175%) with each cast of Arcane Blast. Now also reduces the casting time by 0.1 sec with each cast. Base cast time reduced from 2.5 sec to 2.35 sec.

Light of Dawn now uses Holy Power instead of Mana. Now heals up to 5 targets. No longer has a cooldown - Consumes all Holy Power to send a wave of healing energy before you, healing up to 5 of the most injured targets in your party or raid within a 30 yard frontal cone for 1008.96 to 1124.15 per charge of Holy Power.

Blessed Life now cannot occur more than 8 seconds (up from 2 seconds).

Shadow Orbs *New* - You have a 10% chance for your Shadow Word: Pain and Mind Flay spells to grant you a Shadow Orb each time they deal damage. Casting your Mind Blast or Mind Spike spell consumes all Shadow Orbs, increasing damage of that spell by 0% per Shadow Orb, and granting 0% increased damage on your periodic Shadow spells for until cancelled. You can have up to a maximum of 3 orbs.

Mastery: Unshackled Fury now increases the benefit of abilities that cause or require you to be enraged by 37.6%, up from 25%. Each point of Mastery increases enrage effects by an additional 4.7%, up from 3.13%.

Shield Block (Passive) now increases your chance to block by 25%, down from 100%. In addition, if your total chance to block or avoid an attack exceeds 100%, your chance to critically block is increased by the excess.

Mastery: Critical Block now increases your chances to block by 12%, up from 10%. Increases your chance to critically block by 12%, down from 20%. Each point of mastery now increases your chance to block by an additional 1.5%, and your chance to critically block by an additional 1.5% (Down from 2.5%).

Cataclysm Beta - ilvl 359 Weapons List
It's a little too early for a full list of raid loot but we definitely have enough content for a short preview of the first tier of PvE weapons available in the expansion!

Cataclysm Zones Update - Badlands, Western Plaguelands, Tirisfal Glades
I'm finally updating all the old pages from the Cataclysm menu! Starting slowly today with an update on 3 of the old zones: Badlands, Tirisfal Glades, and the Western Plaguelands. Expect a lot more in the next days!

I will probably add a few more things to zone pages before the end of the week. (Even if giving public deadlines is always a terrible, terrible idea!)

Official Wallpaper - Deathwing
A new wallpaper featuring Deathwing is now available on the Official Site

The Impending Cataclysm

Originally Posted by Zarhym
(Blue Tracker)

With patch 4.0.1 now live and the official World of Warcraft: Cataclysm cinematic trailer released at http://YouTube.com/Warcraft, it's time for you to find out just what's in store in the weeks leading up to Cataclysm's launch on December 7.

Elemental Unrest

As earthquakes rumble and the very foundation of Azeroth becomes increasingly unstable, key members of the Horde and Alliance have begun to assemble in Orgrimmar and Stormwind to investigate the cause of these disturbances. Unconstrained elementals are terrorizing Azeroth's inhabitants, and it's become clear that a malevolent presence is threatening to tear apart the land. Suspicious strangers have taken to the Horde and Alliance capitals to offer the frightened citizens an explanation for the recent phenomena. Pro-tip: it's all doom and gloom.

The events leading up to Cataclysm are underway, and the disturbances will only become more severe as the weeks pass. Pay close attention to your faction leaders, Thrall and Varian, and be on the lookout for unfamiliar faces gathering on the city streets. This one-time-only series of events features all-new quests and multiple stages of dire happenings, so stay vigilant!

Patch 4.0.3

This patch will contain the final preparations for the Cataclysm launch, including the new login screen and official cinematic. The Shattering of Azeroth will take place sometime after patch 4.0.3.

The Shattering

Shortly before December 7, Azeroth will change forever. Deathwing will emerge from the Elemental Plane, bringing about the Shattering of the world and burning anyone and anything in his path. The events leading up to the release of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will reach their culmination, and Azeroth’s citizens will face the devastation they feared all along.

Blue Posts

Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment

Entering Tol barad
Portals exist in Stormwind and Orgrimmar that take players directly to Tol Barad (requires level 85). In addition, Mages learn both a teleport and a portal spell to Tol Barad at level 85. If either of these options still don't cover you, you can purchase the faction themed tabards in Tol Barad as they have a 4hr teleport to the island as an on use effect. (Source)

In-game Cinematics
It took a bit of time for me to get back to this thread, but I wanted to make sure I conferred with our Cinematics team before making the quantum leap.

We acknowledged as a company the positive reaction of the fans to the game's cinematics very early on, and since then we've always made sure to foster a world-class cinematic division to help bring more epic storytelling to our games.

With the advent of in-game cinematics, in the case of Starcraft II, we were able to over triple the amount of cinematic storytelling compared to any previous Blizzard release. As mentioned by another poster, these moments, without in-game assets, would have been character portraits plus voice-over. Instead, they were able to be brought to life with a much more vivid realization by using in-game cinematics to help tell the story.

During the Cataclysm Cinematics panel at BlizzCon, we discussed how each pre-rendered cinematic can take a year or more, with the involvement of dozens of animators, modelers, concept artists, FX artists, programmers and more working to make the picture's vision a reality.

These pre-rendered movies take time and a lot of planning, but with game development being a very dynamic process, the opportunity may arise for a story that deserves to be told cinematically. Logistically though, there may be only a small window of time to make it happen. That is when in-game assets come into play. The unfortunate alternative would be to pass on the moment altogether.

With that said, we are definitely mindful of the desires of the community for cutting edge content, and are putting a lot of effort into pushing the limits of World of Warcraft in-game cinematics to new horizons. If you've had the opportunity to play the Cataclysm beta, the new goblin cut scene should demonstrate some of our new in-game capabilities in action, and we will continue to strive to create the best in-game cinematic content that World of Warcraft has to offer.

It all comes down to pushing the story forward. The real strength of using in-game cinematics is to harness the opportunities for additional cinematic storytelling that, without the in-game option, may never be told. Our belief here is that we'd all prefer to see more stories, regardless of the medium that is chosen. (Source)

Beta TestingRated Battleground Queuing
We are looking for feedback from players using the Rated Battleground queuing system. We have seen numerous reports of different behavior so if you guys could summarize your experience in this thread, that would be great.

We are working as hard as we can to get rated BG's into a playable state on the beta so any input you have would be extremely helpful. (Source)

Guild XP and Reputation
We will be returning the guild xp and reputation to normal levels in the next beta update. Just wanted to give everyone the heads up. (Source)

Guild Leveling/RewardsGuild rewards after a gquit
You keep all rewards that you earn via the new guild system. Some require a specific amount of guild rep to use, but we never take them away. (Source)